PNP on alert for Typhoon Francisco

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is on alert for the possible effects of Typhoon Francisco (international name: Mekkhala) as it approaches the country.

“Police units on the ground observe disaster response protocol, and coordination with local authorities is included for a unified and quick action for the safety of the people,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement on Monday.

READ: Francisco now a typhoon — Pagasa

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“Our personnel are on alert to ensure the safety of residents, and we will continue to work with local government units for preemptive evacuations, and other operations to ensure the safety of all our kababayan in the affected communities,” he noted.

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Francisco was last spotted some 715 kilometers (km) east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan as of 4 a.m., according to the latest tropical cyclone bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

The typhoon was moving west-northwest at 30 kilometers per hour (kph), packing a maximum sustained wind speed of 140 kph and gusts of up to 170 kph, Pagasa noted.

It added that Francisco was forecast to remain over the Philippine Sea until it exits the country’s area of responsibility.

Pagasa, however, said it is not ruling out a closer approach to the extreme Northern Luzon.

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“While Francisco is not expected to make landfall… it may enhance the southwest monsoon, which could trigger heavy rains starting Monday, June 22,” Nartatez noted, citing Pagasa’s forecast.

“And this is where police units are wary of as heavy rains usually cause flash floods and landslides that directly affect low-lying communities,” he added.

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The PNP chief also urged the public to follow official advisories from local authorities. /gsg

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